Sunsets

It’s important to take time for sunset on Anna Maria Island. One special thing about visiting the west coast of Florida is watching the sun sink into the Gulf of Mexico. There’s nothing like the experience.

Reasons why you need to Take Time for Sunset on Anna Maria Island

Beyond the fact that sunsets are beautiful, they are good for your health. Here are the top reasons why you NEED more sunset in your life!

“Her Heart was made of liquid sunsets” – Virgina Woolf

Relaxation and Stress Relief

There is no better way to relax than with a sunset on the beach. Watching the pink and red skies transforming over turquoise waters that gently lap white sandy beaches. Sunsets lulls you into a state of calm. While looking out on an expanding horizon that is so much bigger than yourself its makes your personal problems seem so small. Sunset is a great stress reliever in this way. Let your worries sink into the gulf like the setting sun.

“Every sunset brings the promise of a new dawn.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

Inspiration

Sunset is inspirational for many. The striking colors, the happy calm of the crowd of onlookers, the soothing sound of the ocean. Sunset drives artists to paint and musicians to compose. Beach sunsets are where epiphanies are born.

Appreciation

Sunset teaches us to appreciate the little things in life. Sunset brings us appreciation for being outdoors, and helps us value our time with the ones we love. When everything is glowing orange we can see the world in a new light. Time seems to slows down and you can really see that the world is awesome.

“Sunset is a wonderful opportunity for us to appreciate all the great things the sun gives us!” – Mehmet Murat ildan

Mental Health

Spending time with a sunset is great for your mental well being. With the hustle and bustle of the modern life style its hard to fit in time for yourself. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the obligations of work and family leaving little time to think about your own needs. A sunset allows you to center your mind while focusing on Earth’s beauty.

Once you visit, you’re sure to understand why an Anna Maria Island vacation is addictive! Even Floridians will tell you that you’ll be hooked on the island life immediately.

Once you visit Anna Maria Island you’ll be hooked!

Addictive Anna Maria Island Vacation

While Florida offers miles of gorgeous coastline, not all are as amazing as those on Anna Maria Island. You’ll find the beaches are stunning with powder fine sand and clear blue water similar to the Caribbean. There are over seven miles of public beach to explore with accesses peppered along both gulf and bay sides. Once you spend a day on these beaches you’re sure to come back!

The Real Florida

Anna Maria Island is popular with tourists, but its a more authentic real Florida experience then you’ll find in the states bigger vacation spots. You won’t find high rises or many chain stores and restaurants. This really lends to a feeling from decades past.

Everyone is welcome to enjoy the island life too! Here you’ll find family friendly activities along with a night life and things to do for all ages. Folks just have a different attitude while on Anna Maria Island. Infrequently are people in a big hurry. Locals and vacationers alike want to chat and get to know those also enjoying the island life. People love to reminisce and almost feel a connection because everyone can find common ground in their love of the area.

Always the same, but always changing.

Every time you visit you’ll find some things are new, but some things always stay the same. The beaches are always pretty, and the sand always white, but there are always new services and activities to explore. Find new vacation rentals to stay in, and new things happening in the cities surrounding the island.

Sunsets, weather and wildlife.

Anna Maria Island sunsets are both addictive and always serene. As the sun sinks into the gulf you can just feel all your stress melting away. This special time is great for gathering with the ones you love while simply relaxing. You’ll want to enjoy the hypnotic sunset every night you visit Anna Maria Island.

Fantastic year round weather also makes an Anna Maria Island vacation addictive. Even the winter months are easy here. Usually the temperature doesn’t dip below the 60’s most winter days, and typically the gulf breezes make summers more bearable than non-coastal Florida cities.

During your visit you’ll surly fall in love with the local wildlife. Nothing says exotic tropical vacation more than a pandemonium of raucous wild parrots flying over head. When visiting from May to October you’ll enjoy seeing Loggerhead Sea Turtle nests and shorebirds rearing their young all along our beaches.

An Anna Maria Island Valentines Day is a great way to celebrate a day of love. While Valentines is a special day, Anna Maria Island is romantic any day of the year. Nothing says I love you more than bringing your special someone for a trip to Anna Maria Island.

Anna Maria Island Valentines Day

Here is a list of fun and romantic ideas for an island style Valentines Day.

red heart on sandy sea beach – love relax concept

Breakfast at Sign of the Mermaid

Start your day off right with a delicious breakfast from Sign of the Mermaid in Anna Maria. This great restaurant is housed in a 1913 cottage, and offers a charming menu selection.

Romantic Beach Playlist

Here is a great “Romance by the Beach” playlist to enjoy while laying on the beach!

Visit Island Art Galleries

You’ll find a great local art scene on Anna Maria Island with many galleries in Anna Maria and Holmes Beach. Finding a special piece of art is a great Valentines gift that will also remind you of your trip to the island.

Romantic Vacation Rentals

Turn your trip to Anna Maria Island into the vacation of a lifetime with one of these fantastic beach rentals! What’s more romantic than a Florida beach vacation?

Couples Beach Massage

Enjoy a couples beach massage with Sea-Renity beach spa. There is nothing more romantic than getting pampered while on the beach.

Nature Walk at Perico Preserve

Perico Preserve is just a short trip over the Manatee Bridge on the northern side of Manatee Avenue. While there are tons of great nature walks in the county, Perico Preserve is one of the newest. Here you’ll find a diverse shell trail with tons of beautiful wildlife to see.

Private Boat Excursion

While Anna Maria Island has tons of boat charters, paying a little extra for your own private tour is worth it. Among others, Coastline Excursions offers private tours around Anna Maria Island and Egmont Key. They also offer great snorkeling excursions to try out.

Sunset

The sun will be setting on Anna Maria Island at about 6:22pm on February 14th. When you visit Anna Maria Island sunset is a must!

Manatee Players Theater

The Manatee Players will be showing the romantic musical “Bridges of Madison County”. This would make a great date spot! You’ll find the Manatee Performing Arts Center in Downtown Bradenton. When you are done with the show stop by Downtown’s Old Main Street for a great selection of pubs, bars and restaurants.

This is the ultimate Anna Maria Island Bucket List! There are tons of great activities to enjoy during your visit, however, there are some must dos. Follow this great list and you’ll be sure to have a blast on Anna Maria Island!

The Ultimate Anna Maria Island Bucket List.

The Ultimate Anna Maria Island Bucket List

Visit an Anna Maria Island vacation rental on the beach. – This is the best way to visit Anna Maria Island!

Eat a burger from both Duffy’s and Skinny’s. Locals are divided about the best burger on island, so find out for yourself.

Often when families visit they love to have professional Anna Maria Island photographers help to remember their experience at this perfect vacation destination. When visiting it’s hard not to notice all the natural beauty to be seen in this tropical paradise. In addition to family vacations, many couples decide to host their wedding ceremony on Anna Maria Island, and request professional photography services for their ceremony and celebration. No matter what the reason for your visit to Anna Maria Island, if you are looking for photo keepsakes from your stay there is a professional waiting to help you!

Anna Maria Island Photographers

We have compiled a list of over 20 photographers working on or around Anna Maria Island. Some of these professionals are members of the Anna Maria Island Chamber of Commerce. Also others are photographers that have been suggested by locals and visitors to the area. These individuals offer a range of different photography services including weddings, special events, family beach portraits, videography, maternity photos, children’s photos, framing and more. Each of the professionals in the list offers a slightly different set of services at different price points, and may specialize in a certain aspect of their industry. Peruse the list in the link above to find the perfect professional for your needs.

Popular places for photo shoots on Anna Maria Island

Anna Maria Island offers so many beautiful locations for amazing photo opportunities. You can’t throw a seashell without hitting a great spot! Simply head to just about any beach access and you’ll find the perfect background for your pictures. There are a few spots that we suggest for photos as listed below.

The tip of Anna Maria Island is called Bean Point, and it’s also truly a stunning location for photos. This area of the island offers few parking spaces, and is less crowded. Get views of both Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico as you walk around north end. There are gorgeous wooden boardwalks, scenic dunes and the Island’s notorious Australian Pines to serve as your backdrop on Bean Point.

To the southeast of Bean Point you’ll find Bay Front Park. This area of the Island offers a narrow strip of beaches looking onto Tampa Bay with great views of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Anna Maria City Pier and Rod & Reel Pier.

Both the Anna Maria City Pier and the Rod & Reel Pier are excellent places for family photos. located just a short walk from each other, these piers overlook the bay side of the island, and hold a great deal of island history.

Any gulf beach at sunset is beautiful, but we recommend Anna Maria gulf beaches like those found on White Avenue. Anna Maria gulf beach accesses have lush Seagrape trees, green beach foliage and rustic wooden boardwalks leading over sea oat sand dunes. Your photographer is sure to capture the perfect sunset image no north end beaches.

Egmont Key is a small island State Park only accessible by boat. Located off the northern tip of Anna Maria Island, Egmont Key offers a historic lighthouse and old fort ruins along with gorgeous coastline. This is also a great place for pictures with Anna Maria Island photographers.

Egmont Key

Wedding Accommodations

Weather you are looking to book the perfect Honeymoon suite, or need accommodations for the wedding guests. Island Real Estate has the perfect vacation destination for you with almost 300 vacation properties to choose from!

Beach House unit 4 is the perfect beach front one bedroom Honeymoon vacation rental for newly weds! Click on the image to reserve your stay today!

If you have visited Anna Maria Island and you have not observed a SUNSET then you have been robbed of one of your God given rights. Viewing our magnificent Gulf Coast sunsets every evening offers a different work of art and after all, the reason you go on vacation is to relax! If you are lucky enough to visit in the summer you may have a chance to witness a phenomenal Anna Maria Island Sunset AND turtle hatchlings. If you have not visited Anna Maria Island… it’s ok, use our web site to reserve one of many fabulous vacation rentals or purchase your “peace” of paradise through our real estate office.

FEAR NO MORE….

……this page will fill the void you have felt since your last visit to Anna Maria or the void created from friends or family raving about their last visit to the island. Below you will find the best of the best photo’s of our sunsets, a blog that our fabulous Real Estate professional keeps up weekly, Melinda Bordes, she reviews the week’s sunsets and offers the best of the week for those of you looking to leverage you relaxation time, (Can you leverage your relaxation time?) or view other sunset related content and information we have below.The “anatomy” of a SunsetBest of the Best Anna Maria SunsetsVarious pictures of Beach and Sunsets

Charter Tours Anna Maria Island are fun! There’s no better place to spend a day out fishing and/or boating than the crystal clear Gulf of Mexico!

Charter Tours Anna Maria Island

Grouper, Snapper, Sharks, Trigger Fish, Spanish Mackerel and many other species are found off Anna Maria Island depending on the season. The surrounding water around Anna Maria Island is a small boat fishers’ playground where you’ll find snook as well as red fish.

There are charter guides where you’ll be sure to catch a glimpse of a dolphin or a manatee! They will bring you around to the shallow parts of the waters to pick up shells, starfish and sand dollars! Some charters offer sunset sails, Egmont Key Expeditions, full moon sails, private charters, dolphin watching, etc. Some charters will also include some of the same amenities of home: A/C, head, galley, and soft drinks, along with rods, bait, ice, tackle, license, permits and instructions for new beginners, and will even clean your fish for you.

Here are just some, of many, places that offer fishing, boating & charters:

The summer has come and gone and we are entering into fall! The atmosphere changes from tourists bustling around the Island enjoying vacations with family and friends to less crowded locals soaking up the peace and quiet for about a month on Anna Maria Island. I find fall sunsets to be the most beautiful because the skies are a much deeper blue and late afternoon showers give way to more grandeur sunsets! It is a perfect time for couples to nestle their chairs in the sand and let the sunset serve as their entertainment. The turtles are still hatching and the shore birds, dolphins and manatees all add that touch of wildlife for which Anna Maria Island is so well known especially to the locals. Soon we will see fall festivals happening along the Gulf of Mexico, both on and off the Island offering seafood and live music as well as arts and crafts. Islanders are always excited to put on their jeans and open their windows to feel the cross breezes and fresh air! And at the end of the day we find our reward for hard work is to be able to walk to the beach to rest and relax as we experience another amazing sunset pulling the shade down as day fades into night…as summer fades into fall!

Soaring Sunset on Anna Maria Island

Created by Melinda Bordes Melinda@annamariasunset.com 941-705-0146…Whether buying or selling real estate on Anna Maria Island or surrounding areas feel free to call me to assist you in the process. Together we can find that perfect slice of paradise so you can soak up our amazing sunsets no matter the season!

Once again I witnessed another bold sunset and had the pleasure of sharing it with some lovely ladies who had just arrived that day for another adventure on Anna Maria Island! They have stayed with Island Real Estate over the years and commented on how great our rental department had treated them in the past. They also bragged on our maintenance department claiming how helpful they had always been if they needed anything. They are part of a group and other family members will be joining them to make some wonderful memories and enjoy the fragrances of the Island! After our exchange it was time to get serious about the sunset before us. It was quickly dropping into the Gulf of Mexico and the skies were so blue and not a cloud to be found! Just as soon as the top of the sun dropped out of sight there was a splash of deep aqua green that seemed to spray up from the sunset…The Green Flash! We all started asking “did you see that”? You could hear people clapping up and down the beach! It was a perfect sunset and the green flash was the exclamation point at the end of the sunset! Perhaps it is time to put your toes in the sand and capture one of our sunsets that make you go aw-w-w-w-w! Enjoy the sunset!

Guests of Island Real Estate!

By Melinda Bordes 941-705-0146 or melinda@annamariasunset.com…Whether buying or selling on Anna Maria Island or the surrounding areas let me assist you in the process of owning the perfect piece of real estate where you can fill your sand bucket full of sunsets!

Anna Maria Island sunsets are amazing this time of the year the Island. For the first time in a while we are experiencing a nip in the air with soft breezes and brilliant blue skies. The humidity has dropped and everyone is in a fall kind of mood! We had more rain than usual this summer and temperatures were sweltering at times. It felt more like a sauna which is nice if you are floating in the azure waters of the Gulf of Mexico! Have you made your plans for a fall getaway? We have some wonderful beach cottages with your name on it. Come and breath in the salt air and let the sunset hypnotize you into a complete relaxed state of mind! Please enjoy the sunset!

Created by Melinda Bordes Melinda@annamariasunset.com …Whether buying or selling real estate on Anna Maria Island or surrounding areas call me to assist you in the process. Together we can find that perfect slice of paradise so you can soak up our amazing sunsets!